Summer season begins June 1st for Frankfort boat cruise company

For those of you who’ve been waiting since last fall for a trip along the Lake Michigan shore, the wait is over. Sleeping Bear Dunes Boat Cruises is open for the season. Daily tours along the shoreline from Frankfort to the National Lakeshore in Empire began today for the cruise company in it’s second season.

Over the winter a new boat, "Lady Michigan," has been under construction in Alabama. With a delay in the arrival of the new boat, the Upper Peninsula company sent another beautiful ship, "Pictured Rocks" to start off the season.

For the early part of June the daily schedule includes one trip at 11am. The beautiful sunset cruises will be added to the schedule on June 18th.

If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy the Dunes this year I hope you’ll check out Sleeping Bear Dunes Boat Cruise. For a map to their location in Frankfort view their listing on our Attractions page. To reserve your spot on one of their daily sails call 888.469.4696. Visit their website at www.sleepingbeardunescruise.com for more schedule information and pricing details.

“Putting for Patriots” Event at Pirates Cove

Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, in Traverse City, Michigan will host the Fourth Annual “Putting for Patriots” fundraiser from Saturday, May 15 through Monday, May 31. This national event will occur simultaneously at 36 Pirate’s Cove, Pirate’s Island and Jungle Golf miniature golf courses throughout the United States.

This May event will culminate on Memorial Day weekend and support three charities, which serve our wounded, their families and survivors of the fallen. These organizations include: “Hope For The Warriors”, “Homes for Our Troops” and “TAPS—Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.” Pirate’s Cove, Jungle Golf and Pirate’s Island will donate a percentage of their total sales on Sunday, May 30. In addition, from May 14 through May 31, each golf course will accept donations to be turned over to the three charities. Since its inception, this event has raised over $57,000.

“Memorial Day was specifically founded to remember those who died serving our nation,” notes Brad Graft, Pirate’s Cove Partner and Regional Director. “The Pirate’s Cove / Pirate’s Island family thought it appropriate to establish an annual event to serve charities that assist our living veterans and the survivors of fallen military members. These are men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.”

Pirate’s Cove and Pirate’s Island operate 36 miniature golf courses throughout the United States. For more information, visit their Web sites at www.piratescove.com, www.piratesislandgolf.com, and www.junglegolfminigolf.com . Additional information on the above charities can be found by accessing their Web sites: www.hopeforthewarriors.org, www.homesforourtroops.org and www.taps.org.

The beverage business is booming in Michigan. And everyone from visitors to lodging personnel to locals wants to keep up with what’s new in the world of wine, beer and spirits in Northern Michigan. So here are some highlights from our customers in the industry.

Right Brain Brewery

90 lbs of asparagus were grilled and turned into what has become a springtime favorite at RBB: Empire Spear Beer. Don’t worry if you missed it at the Empire Asparagus Festival, it’s on tap at the brewery. And for all the gluten-free customers out there it’s time to send up a cheer for the first ever gluten-free beer at RBB. "Katy Bar the Door" is an ode to the Red Wings #1 gluten allergy advocate, Mickey Redman. It’s made with roasted chestnuts, local honey, and 100% local hops.

Black Star Farms

Just fresh from bottling is the ’09 Riesling at Black Star Farms. The winemakers notes will tell you, "This wine presents classic Riesling aromas of delicate white flowers and stone fruit. Ripe flavors of citrus, peach and apple follow on the palate. It is a lovely off-dry medium bodied white wine." And if you’re looking for a great date night or fun place to meet up with friends, why not check out the Matterhorn Grill at Tastes of Black Star Farms inside the Mercado at The Village. Sit around a miniature grill dining on melted Raclette, meats and veggies will sipping something tasty. Yum.

Bel Lago Vineyard & Winery

Bel Lago Winery’s 2007 Semi-Dry Riesling has been judged BEST WHITE WINE at the 2010 Pacific
Rim International Wine Competition, held in San Bernardino, CA. Bel Lago 2007 Semi-Dry Riesling won a Gold Medal and the Best of Class award for Off-Dry Riesling, and then competed against all the other Best of Class White Wine varietal winners, and was judged Best White Wine overall. Stop by their tasting room across from beautiful Lake Leelanau and taste for yourself. Congratulations Bel Lago.

Left Foot Charley

Despite a challenging ’09 growing season Bryan has pulled together an interesting vintage from their fruits of last year. The ’09 Pinot Blanc is from Island View Vineyard on Old Mission Peninsula. In his own words, "Island View came through again in the tough ’09 vintage. We made the crew sort the grapes into golden and green clusters then the two lots were pressed and fermented individually and carefully blended back together to form this complex bright dry wine. Great apple notes with a striking citrus finish. Very limited production – you snooze you lose." Also check out their Sparking Hard Apple Cider and The Cobbler; a double fermented cider with a cinnamon flavor. Try it served ala mode with Moomers ice cream on the side.

2 Lads Winery

Bring on the bubbly. Two Lads is ready to release their 2002 vintage bubbly. "The 2002 Dry Sparkling Wine has been in the cellar doing extended aging en tirage (on the lees). This June will be the last time you will be able to purchase and enjoy this rare and spectacular gem. A non-traditional blend exhibiting an exotic, vibrant bouquet and a seductive mouth feel. When released, this wine will have seen seven years en tirage and is exemplary of Northern Michigan’s potential to be the United States’ preeminent sparkling wine region." With less than 500 bottles left in the cage there’s no time to waste in making a trip up to 2 Lads for a bottle.

Peninsula Cellars

In case you missed it, Peninsula Cellars was among several local wineries who made the B-list according to a recent article in Food & Wine magazine. The article certainly reinforced the fact that you can’t judge a winery by it’s apparent size or location on a map. And it highlighted one of my family’s favorite easy-drinking reds; Detention. Speaking of easy-drinking, don’t leave this little schoolhouse without a bottle of Homework, their Pinot Noir Rose.

Grand Traverse Distillery

If you haven’t been out to visit the George and Kent now’s the time. At their production facility they’ve expanded the tasting room area to accommodate all the new visitors we’re sending their way. You’ll also find some new spirits that will hopefully raise yours. Check out Ole George Whiskey, 100% Rye whiskey now available in the tasting room. I also discoverd a limited bottling of Chocolate Vodka. Sounds like cocktail hour is going to get crazy this summer at Grand Traverse Distillery.

Uncorked Wine Bar

If you’ve stepped inside the Cherry Stop lately you can’t miss what’s going on with Uncorked. In order to create two separate spaces for visitors to enjoy they are remodeling and moving the wine bar up front. When they’re finished with the upgrade customers there to visit Uncorked will come in a separate entrance that leads straight to the bar, located under a pergola inside the building. The seating and beautiful Grand Traverse Bay views are still in the back. And plans for another Meet the Winemaker event in June are in the works. So stop in for a sample or pick up a bottle of your favorite local wine while you’re shopping downtown Traverse City.

Upcoming Festival and Events

One of the best ways to enjoy summer in Michigan is spending an afternoon at a Wine Festival, or Beer Festival or a combination thereof. So here’s a list of some of the upcoming festivals in Northern Michigan and throughout the state.

Do You Have Your Ticket to Summer Entertainment Fun Yet?

Hot off the presses, and in Mealtickets displays this week, are the new cards for the Interlochen Summer Arts Festival. You’ve probably already seen their large program, but you can’t beat the convenience of our little cards. They’re a perfect pocket-sized schedule of Interlochen’s concert lineup.

Pick up an Interlochen card today at area hotels other display locations. And order your tickets to one of the Traverse area’s oldest and most creative arts institutions. Order tickets online at www.tickets.interlochen.org

2010 Summer Arts Festival

June 14: Sheryl Crow w/Colbie Caillat

June 26: The Moody Blues

June 30: Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain & Edgar Meyer

July 1-4: Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”

July 3: The Capitol Steps

July 4: World Youth Symphony Orchestra

July 8-11: Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”

July 8: Taj Mahal w/Shemekia Copeland

July 9: Playhouse Disney’s Choo-Choo Soul

July 11: WYSO w/David Shifrin

July 13: Interlochen “Collage”

July 14: POST Comedy Theater

July 17: Punch Brothers w/Loudon Wainwright III

July 18: JoAnn Falletta conducts WYSO

July 21: Peter & Paul: A Tribute to Mary & 50 Years of Music & Friendship

Love Michigan Wines, Then You’ll Love Uncorked!

Did you know that Downtown Traverse City has a wine bar dedicated to promoting Michigan wine, beer and spirits? Uncorked, a Northern Michigan Wine Bar is located on Front Street and you may not have known it was there. That’s because it’s inside The Cherry Stop. And it’s home to an amazing opportunity for you to unwind, unplug and sip on some fabulous cocktails.

There is no where else in Traverse City you can step up to the bar and order a flight of riesling for a side-by-side taste test, and be able to walk out the door with a bottle of your favorite label. Whether you want to order a wine sample, sip on a Michigan microbrew draft, or savor a cocktail made from local spirits, the options are endless at Uncorked.

The Cherry Stop has been with Mealtickets from the day we opened for business. And we’re very excited to welcome another great idea from Nick and Jamie Roster into Mealtickets service. Stop in for a glass, sign up for one of their Meet the Winemaker events or enjoy happy hour. And tell them we said hello!